Cultural diversity
Language used at home
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Dampier Peninsula (part), accounting for 66.5% (688 people). This share was lower than Broome (S) (73.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 675 people, while its share fell by 33.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dampier Peninsula (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dampier Peninsula (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Broome (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dampier Peninsula (part), with comparison markers for Broome (S).
English
2021 count
688
% of total
66.5%
Change from 2016
-33.5pp
688
66.5%
-33.5pp
Bardi
2021 count
162
% of total
15.7%
Change from 2016
-
162
15.7%
-
Not stated
2021 count
114
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-
114
11.0%
-
Kimberley Area Languages, nec
2021 count
29
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-
29
2.8%
-
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
14
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
14
1.4%
-
Kriol
2021 count
10
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
10
1.0%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+675
-33.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dampier Peninsula (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Broome (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Broome (S)% | Count | % | Broome (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 688 | 66.5% | 73.3% | 13 | 100.0% | 76.0% | +675 | -33.5pp |
| Bardi | 162 | 15.7% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.7% | - | - |
| Not stated | 114 | 11.0% | 14.5% | - | - | 12.6% | - | - |
| Kimberley Area Languages, nec | 29 | 2.8% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 14 | 1.4% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Kriol | 10 | 1.0% | 0.8% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Total | 1,035 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,022 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.